Vertical: Ports
Application: Connected workers with tablets for container logistics and maintenance, digitalizing RTG cranes, monitoring STS container cranes, real-time telemetry data transmission, remote crane operation capabilities
Ecosystem: Nokia, Boldyn Networks
Private Network: 5G
OPCSA, the largest container terminal in the Canary Islands, has selected Boldyn Networks and Nokia to design, deploy, and operate a private 5G network at its Las Palmas facility. The deployment aims to improve connectivity, enhance operational intelligence, and reduce costs.
The terminal serves as a critical hub on major routes connecting Europe, Africa, and South America, with direct connections to more than 74 ports worldwide. With high cargo volumes, OPCSA requires advanced infrastructure to remain competitive and efficient.
Jan Nowak, CEO of OPCSA, stated the deployment “represents a transformative leap for our terminal” and “will not only streamline operations but also position OPCSA as a leader in port innovation across the region.” OPCSA operates as part of TiL, a global leader in terminal operations.
The implementation focuses on testing technology and validating multiple applications. Workers will receive tablets to support container logistics and maintenance activities. The network will enable digitalization of RTG cranes, where onboard computers are positioned 20 meters high, and monitoring of STS container cranes located at heights exceeding 100 meters. By utilizing wireless connectivity, the terminal eliminates the need for extensive civil works and fiber optic connections.
Boldyn Networks will provide Private 5G as a Service, allowing OPCSA to access advanced network capabilities without managing the underlying infrastructure. This managed service approach provides predictable costs and accelerated deployment.
The network will enable real-time data transmission from RTG cranes over Nokia Industrial field routers, establishing groundwork for eventual remote crane operation. It will support monitoring of telemetry data from STS cranes, helping minimize unexpected downtime. Connectivity improvements will also address inefficiencies in maintaining and monitoring refrigerated containers.
Mikko Uusitalo, CEO of Boldyn Networks Europe, emphasized his company’s “substantial experience in enhancing port environments with reliable connectivity solutions tailored to the demands of high-volume logistics, real-time data exchange and complex operational workflows.”
Michael Aspinall, Head of Enterprise Campus Edge Sales Europe at Nokia, noted that “ports are becoming increasingly digital, connected and automated, and reliable private wireless is the foundation that makes this transformation possible.”
